Sitting MP switches party after he was denied ticket

Ahmednagar sitting MP Tukaram Gadakh defected to the BSP after he was denied ticket from the NCP from the constituency.

Gadakh has entered the fray, opposing official NCP nominee Shivaji Kardile in a triangular contest, joined by Dilip Gandhi of BJP.

For Congress, Sangli seat has become a cause for concern as Maharashtra minister Patangrao Kadam, who was keen to field his son Vishwajeet from the constituency has expressed displeasure.

He openly criticized Congress high command's decision to renominate Pratik and continuing a 'dynastic' tradition.Pratik is the grandson of late Vasantdada Patil, a former state Chief Minister and an architect of the cooperative movement in Western Maharashtra. Earlier, the constituency was represented by Vasantdada's son Prakashbapu Patil.

In a tactical move, the BJP withdrew its candidate Dipak Shinde, paving way for a virtual straight contest between Congress' Pratik Patil and its rebel Ajit Ghorpade.